They're students at W. Ross Macdonald School and both use its modern fitness centre that has been built by proceeds from the Run for Light fundraiser that this year celebrates its 30th anniversary on May 25.

"I'm in here every day," said Evans, 17, of Kingston. "It's all about keeping healthy and fit.

"I really like it that it's right here and that I can use it at any time. It's an important part of my routine."

Evans is a jazz musician who plans to go into Humber College's music program once he graduates from the Brant Avenue school for the students who are visually inpaired, blind or deafblind.

Taylor, 16, Brantford, is in the fitness centre all the time, too. He uses it daily to help him participate in sports, such as wrestling and goalball.

He is a member of the under-19 Team Ontario goalball squad that captured gold at the junior national championships last month at WRM. And he finished second in his weight class at the Brant County high school wrestling championships last February.

"It's got everything I need and it's easy to get to," Taylor said of the gym.

"For me, I use it to get stronger, to help build by strength and my cardio."

Taylor said he enjoys the jump boxes that recently were added to the centre. He's can jump 44 inches from the floor to the top of the box,

The school's fitness centre is a source of pride for everyone, especially Mick Ferras, Mike Breuls and John Wilkinson who have been involved with Run for the Light since its inception.

"I remember what this was like 30 years ago," Ferras said. "We had one of those old Universal weight machines and a couple of mats.

"There wasn't much here. But we all wanted to do something to make it into a real gym. The Run for Light has enabled us to do that."

Originally, the Run for Light was a fun evening for staff and students. The first one in 1987 was a success, leading to the formation of a committee to see if the event could be opened to the community to raise money for new fitness equipment.

The event continues to be a success.

the five-kilometre run or walk held on the school's grounds attracts between 500 to 700 participants each year and has raised well over $100,000 over the years.

The fitness centre now is equipped with elliptical machines, treadmills, weight machines and free weights. In addition to the school's students, the facility is used by provincial and national paralympic teams before major competitions.

Proceeds from the fundraiser also are used to buy uniforms for school teams.

"We've been really fortunate over the years to have received strong community support for this run," Breuls said.

He noted that the event is the second largest fundraising run in the city and the second oldest behind the Brantford Rotary Classic Run.

"The registration fee - $10- has remained the same over the years and that covers our costs," said Breuls. "It's the sponsorships that John Wilkinson gets from local companies that give us the money we need to purchase new equipment."

Breuls and Ferras praise the support the school gets from the community. The fitness centre wouldn't be possible without it, they say.

One of the Run for Light's biggest supporters over the years has been the North Brantford Lions Club and Canadian Pioneers, which turns over the proceeds from a barbecue held as part of the event. The names of all sponsors are put on the commemorative T-shirt.

Participants receive a T-shirt and glow stick for their $10 registration fee or they can pay $5 and receive a bandanna and glow stick.

WRM principal Dan Maggiacomo said that Run for Light is important for a lot of reasons.

"We're a big part of this community and this is a real community event," he said.

"It brings people to our school and gives us a chance to mingle and get to know them. We have live entertainment, a barbecue and it's a great time for everyone.

"I think, as well, it's important to remember that we have community connections across the country."

Leading up to Run for Light, the school will hold its fifth annual Zumbathon on May 23, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the school's gym. The $10 registration fee entitles participants to a T-shirt and entry into the Run for Light. Organizers hope that the Zumbathon will attract 100 people.

Registration for Run for Light is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 25, with the run starting at about 9 p.m.

Make cheques payable to Minister of Finance with Run for Light in the memo line.